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PM NEWS QUICK POLL

Quick Poll

Will crytocurrencies like Bitcoin eventually be accepted forms of payment in podiatry offices?

APMA COMPONENT NEWS

APMWA Announces 32nd Annual Student Writing Competition

Additional Prizes Added

The American Podiatric Medical Writers Association has announced its 32nd Annual Student Writing Competition.

All papers MUST be non-technical in nature. Appropriate subjects include practice management, ethics, law, education, or any topic that would be suitable for a lay publication.

There is no word limitation. Papers will be graded for content, style, grammar, neatness, and overall impact.

First prize one thousand dollars ($1,000), Second prizeseven hundred and fifty dollars ($750)Third prizefive hundred dollars ($500) sponsored by an APMA Educational Foundation endowment from Dr. and Mrs. Steven Berlin, and recognition in the APMA NEWS and the APMWA Newsletter. Honorable Mention Certificates may also be awarded.

Entries become the property of APMWA, which may arrange publication of the entry.

INTERNATIONAL PODIATRISTS IN THE NEWS

Jamaica Podiatrist Discusses Orthotics

According to podiatrist Angela Davis, "An orthotic is a device designed to support the foot, improve foot posture, and correct any imbalance that may be present. The shoe in which the orthotic is placed must be supportive, with extra depth to accommodate it. Many athletes wear them to help correct foot problems that can hinder performance."

Angela Davis

"Orthotics can be made of hard or soft material and both types have their pros and cons. Some people find the hard materials uncomfortable whereas others find the soft material wears out too quickly. Your podiatrist will be able to assess which type would be best for you," says Davis.

Source: Jamaica Observer [12/17/17]

PODIATRISTS AND FOOTWEAR

UK Recommends Best Party Shoes

Party season is upon us, which poses a dilemma for women the world over: how to pick a pair of shoes that looks glamorous but doesn't result in blisters, bunions, and sore soles. Matthew Fitzpatrick, consultant podiatrist and Provost at the College of Podiatry, warns that wearing the wrong shoes can result in serious long-term problems for your feet - from joint damage and muscle strain to neuromas.

Matthew Fitzpatrick and an example of a block heel

Fitzpatrick recommends block heels. "These can give you the height you want in your shoe but will give you a bit of extra stability when out and about, reducing the risk of sprains – especially if you become a little more ‘unstable’ at the end of the night. Although you still need to be aware of the heel height, this is a good option to consider when wanting to look great."

Source: Unity Blott, The Daily Mail [12/19/17]

ACA UPDATE

GOP Tax Bill Repeals Obamacare's Individual Mandate

The GOP’s new tax bill, which passed Congress on Wednesday afternoon after one last vote in the House of Representatives and will be signed by President Donald Trump, is also a healthcare bill. The tax bill does at least as much (if not more) to upend Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, than even all of the Trump administration’s thousand cuts to the health law over the past year by repealing the individual mandate.

Repealing Obamacare’s individual mandate won’t affect most people. That’s because the vast majority of Americans receive health coverage through their employer or through a public health program like Medicare, Medicaid, or military health services. Obamacare’s private, individual insurance markets (which will still be around after the mandate is gone, and more than 70% of consumers can purchase government-subsidized plans in them) will go through some turmoil, though.

Source: Sy Mukherjee, Fortune [12/20/17]

FROM PM's CURRENT ISSUE

Several times a week, PM News posts an entire article from a recent issue of our partner, Podiatry Management Magazine. Please note that the views expressed in Podiatry Management Magazine do not necessarily reflect the views of PM News or Barry Block.

Hard data is crucial to Kyle Matthews, chief executive officer of a cardiology practice near Phoenix, and he regularly shares them with his physicians through 10 key financial reports. The numbers tell him — and them — when to hire and when to fire, who has too many appointments, and who has too few, and even when it's time to investigate missing referrals. Matthews recommended providing these financial reports to partner physicians:

4) Pro-Forma

This report is usually appropriate for just a finance or executive committee, Matthews said, but can also provide physicians with financial details about coded services.

Source: Randy Dotinga, Physicians Practice [10/10/17]

QUERIES (PRACTICE MANAGEMENT)

Query: Model for Efficiently Run Office

I have been a podiatrist for over 20 years, most of which was in the employ of another podiatrist. Given the changes in technology and income, I and a few other podiatrists are looking to branch out. What I am looking for is if there is a model for how to establish the most efficient and innovative office given present/future technologies, utilizing both physical and virtual office staff. Is there such a model, or might you be able to offer direction?

Also, I’m wondering if given the present environment, whether a collaboration with primary care or other specialties (versus a free-standing practice) makes more sense.

Name Withheld

RESPONSES/COMMENTS (NON-CLINICAL) - PART 1

RE: Sham Peer Review, The Disease

From: Richard Willner, DPM

Description of disease: The scientific method generally involves collecting data, making observations, developing theories on the basis of those observations, performing tests of those theories under controlled circumstances, and finally, taking a course of action if those tests prove the theories. Sham peer review is a backward malignant bastardization of the scientific method. It involves making a decision to take the action, then asking minions to collect the data to support the arbitrary decision. It happens in the corporate world every day, i.e., an executive wants to fire an employee, so he asks his lackeys to "get the documentation". This is exactly what happens to physicians in sham peer review as well.

Peer review is a healthy, scientific, positive process by which physicians review what their peers are doing, looking at variances, and...

The posting about the scope of practice of nurses reminded me of what happened to a podiatrist I knew who went to medical school and became a board-certified family practice doctor. The hospital he had privileges at would not let him perform foot surgery or deliver babies. The problem primarily was that he was no longer a licensed podiatrist and also he was not an obstetrician. Also his malpractice carrier would not cover him for these activities. I think that is it more important that podiatrists in every state be able to refer to themselves as podiatric physicians. I believe it will not be possible for nurses to claim that they are physicians.

W. David Herbert, DPM, JD, Billings, MT

Rethink Your Clinical Space

New technologies and evolving patient needs are constant for podiatrists like you – but Midmark can help. With more than 50 years of experience in the clinical space, we realize the keys to effective podiatry room design are functionality, efficiency and flexibility. A few simple workflow considerations can make a big difference for you and your patients, improving ergonomics, safety and accessibility at the point of care.

Excellent, growing podiatry practice is seeking a full time podiatrist to add to our current 2 podiatrists. Excellent compensation for qualified candidates. Please send resume to Metropolitanfootcare@gmail.com

Large central NJ orthopedic practice looking for full-time podiatrist with interest in wound care, diabetes, and general footcare. Rearfoot/Ankle training not required. Upcoming 2018 grads and established podiatrists can apply. Must be willing to grow podiatry practice with the ability to maintain and attract patients. Must be willing to live in area as the candidate will actively participate in hospital call and be responsible for inpatient rounds. Please send cv to sdonaruma@midjerseyortho.com

MOBILE PODIATRISTS NEEDED- LOS ANGELES, CA

Full Time Position available for podiatrists to visit home bound patients in the LA area and surrounding areas. Excellent compensation, flexible schedule, dedicated office support staff, cloud based EHR system. Email CV to: homefootcare@hotmail.com

Multi-specialty surgical group expanding and looking for podiatrists to join our team. Practitioners will focus mostly on wound care in all settings, including hospital, office, and nursing facilities. Opportunity for general podiatric surgical cases as well. Full-time position available with benefits and profit-sharing. New graduates encouraged! E-mail CV to woundcaredocs@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION – TRACY/MANTECA, CA

Federally Qualified Health Center looking for a dedicated medical and surgical podiatrist to work with our team of Primary Care Physicians. Email CV to marivera@cmcenters.org

Established practice looking for a full-time podiatrist for our Waldorf, MD and Clinton, MD locations. Must live within 20 miles from the office. The ideal candidate will have strong clinical skills including ulcer care, diabetes, surgery and general footcare. Must have a strong office personality with the ability to maintain and attract patients. Must be willing to merge into an already established protocol based office. Please send CV to footdocs17@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE NEEDED – WARREN/YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO

Ankle & Foot Care Centers operates 20 locations in Northeast Ohio. We are looking to add a full-time podiatric physician to help cover expansion of our Outreach/Home Care Services. Tremendous growth opportunity for a hardworking individual with an interest in wound care, nursing home and house call patient care. To learn more about us, visit our website at www.ankleandfootcare.com Please email your letter of interest and CV to Michael Vallas, Practice Administrator at mike@ankleandfootcare.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHERN NJ

Established office w/ 5 DPMs. Large referral base from PCPs, vascular, peds and orthopedists. Well-rounded hospital/surgical center based practice. All aspects of foot and ankle care. Many new patients weekly, solid surgical schedule. Modern office w/ EMR. Involved with residency program. Must have strong ethics and highly motivated. Serious associates only leading to partnership. Must have PMSR/RRA or equivalent training. Competitive compensation package. Starting July 2018. Please email CV to Northnjpod1@gmail.com

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CLASSIFIED ADS PART 2 - PRACTICES FOR SALE OR WANTED, EQUIPMENT FOR SALE

Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 18,500 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@prodigy.net or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at davidekagan@gmail.com or call (215) 808-0770.

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